Derelict 3: Evolution

Amelia’s ‘fresh’ start quickly fell to routine. She forced herself to get up after she woke, even when she wanted nothing more than to sleep the day away. The alternative, she knew, was worse.

Then, after a quick breakfast she tended the garden. Gone were the days when the plants died from neglect. She watered and weeded them anytime they looked dry or needed attention. And in return they grew and flowered. She spoke to them as often as she worked.

The sound of her voice helped keep the ship’s noises at bay and the plants seemed to sparkle when she spoke to them. They helped balance her. It was good to know she wasn’t the only creature alive. The plants responded to her care, by evolving into better versions of themselves, growing plumper berries and bigger blossoms.

Amelia painted often, letting her brush do the majority of the work. Following lines where they ended. Picking colors on a whim. If she tried to control the picture, the results were uninspiring. It was therapeutic to empty her psyche onto the blank page.

She missed her father. He had always been there for her. When she’d gotten scared the first time they’d docked at Endion Station, he’d been there. She’d been what, five at the time, eight? He’d held her close and made her feel safe again.

Then he’d made her favorite, grilled cheese sandwiches with gouda and homemade bread. Everything her father made tasted delicious. The next day when she’d returned to the station, the people hadn’t scared her because she knew he would take care of her.

But Amelia needed to take care of herself now. That meant she needed to stop getting by on yogurt and cereal. Even when she made an occasional salad, there was something missing. All the nutrients were guaranteed, but the warmth, the soul, love, was missing. It was time to reclaim her heritage.

According to the recipe’s instructions grilled cheese wasn’t that hard to make. She watched the stove carefully, trying to avoid the red-hot burner. If she injured herself, she’d have to take care of it herself.

She face her fears.

Her first attempt at cooking turned out more than okay. Not excellent, but it showed promise. And Amelia was glad she tried. The warm cheese warmed her soul in a way no yogurt could. Filling her mind with new ideas and dreams.

She knew who she had to thank.

“Daddy,” Amelia said. “Thank you. I know the stove is dangerous and I promise to be careful. But I’m older now. And…and I want to be as good a chef as you someday! I’ll keep trying.”

She was true to her word and the very next day instead of cereal she decided to try another Echo Family favorite: scrambled eggs and toast.

While not a success, it wasn’t a failure either.

“You know, I think my dad would be proud of me. After all this time, I’m learning a new skill. I’m evolving too!”

Thank you. I figured we needed an upper after the last chapter. Plus I like Amelia so I don’t want her to be completely unhappy- she’s finally learning how to be on her own.

Gouda is my favorite cheese for grilled cheese. I used to hate the sandwiches myself but that’s because they were always served with Tomato soup (yuck!) so I had a negative connotation for the sandwich as well.

It’s amazing seeing her grow with every part! It’s normal to have ups and downs in her situation.

I don’t think I’ve ever tried Gouda cheese! For that matter, I don’t think I’ve ever had grilled cheese with tomato soup before, even though I know about the combination. I’ve had them separately though.

I definitely expect more downs, but so far she’s been pretty happy since she gained the ability to talk to plants. Just a couple of those and she’s back to the top of the social, unlike talking to herself which does increase social, just very slowly.

My school always served them together, least favorite school lunch day.

Thanks! The idea came to me a while back and I just knew if I was going to do the room challenge, I’d be doing a SF story. I have the full ship built out on another save as well. So even though her room is tiny, at least I know what rooms she should be able to access.

I was trying to get shots without the plumbob, but then I learned you can use headlineeffects off – or something like that. Hopefully they’ll continue to be good when I can move farther away. I just loved our grilled cheese photo shoot. Ameila was very accommodating with her expressions.

Amelia’s an amazing actress–or maybe she’s living the part, and she’s just incredibly expressive. At any rate, she has such a unique look. I find her very appealing and beautiful–I love that her face isn’t typically beautiful. It’s unique.

I laughed so hard with that painting sequence ending with the little “Hi” guy! That’s so sweet!

I’m glad you like her, I spent a lot of time on her face getting it to look right but not weird. She’s going to be a favorite sim for a looong time. She is super expressive, some of it is that I get right in her face, unlike in legacy where you’re usually so far away looking down on everyone. I remembered that about your Henrietta – you had such good close up of her just living.

Agreed. You get a similar tight focus with a wonder child but you’re concentration so much on skilling that they don’t really have the time to germinate the way these room sims can. You can just watch them all day.

Her looking around after dropping the pepper mill in the eggs was ironic– there’s no one there to see! But I love that she found company with the plants, and the painting of her father, and that even though it was her dad that was worried about her using the stove she used it to make grilled cheese like he used to. Plus, the fact that I went to see my dad this weekend and he made grilled cheese for us (but with sharp cheddar; I love Gouda, I”ll have to try that sometime.)

Really love the idea you’ve got here. And the design of the ‘ship’ is great, especially the garden.
Although I am enjoying the seriousness of the story, I have to admit I did laugh out loud at the painting of her father. The idea that there is a narrator telling this poignant section of story and the sim ‘actor’ drawing this less than epic image appealed to my sense of humour!
I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes… I shall continue..

Ha – I never thought of that picture that way, but you’re right it is a great juxtaposition! This is definitely a more serious piece, but I hope it’s still humorous from time to time.

The ship’s garden design, which you might have read in other comments, was actually the inspiration for this whole story. I made an indoor glass garden thing in a basement and kept seeing spaceships. I knew then I needed a story set on one.

Aww, it’s good that she’s finding something to keep her from going totally insane in there. The cooking scene was adorable. Amelia is so expressive! And she’s a total daddy’s girl. Kind of like another Amelia I know 😀

Haha! You’re so right, she’s a Daddy’s girl (her mom was a lot busier on ship so not around as much).

Her face is actually loosely based on Amelia Earhart’s face so I don’t know if that uniqueness made her more expressive – but I like to think so. She is a very unique sim in all ways (I like to think!)